Te Akau rejects major offer for 1000 Guineas favourite Asturia

Te Akau has rejected a major offer for Asturia, the ruling odds-on favourite for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 7.

David Ellis bought the Almanzor filly for NZ$135,000 as Lot 43 at Karaka 2025 Book 1 from Landsdowne Park as agent for Monovale Holdings.

The value of the offer, reported by Michael Guerin, who described Asturia in an accompanying X post as one of the most valuable horses racing in New Zealand, is not known.

“She is by Almanzor, who is a stallion we have had a lot of success with, and while the offer was for a lot of money she has the opportunity to race for huge money in coming months,” Ellis said.

That programme starts with the NZ$600,000 Guineas over 1600 metres. Ellis said she would not back up in the 2000 Guineas on November 14, even if she wins.